After the first attempt at a national uprising by the fascist generals in Spain ended in failure, Madrid became a dangerous and violent city dominated by anarchist militias. Many had no trust for the Republican government and their ranks were bolstered by murderers and other violent prisoners let loose from the city’s jails. In 1936 many of the Madrid police and civil guard had joined with the fascist insurrection and the last hold outs of the failed uprising within the city were brutally massac
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